By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
As it was expected the quality gap between Serbia and Iran was evident as the team of coach Djordjevic got an easy 83-70 win. With the notable exceptions of Hamed Haddadi (29 p., 5 r.) and Nikkhah Bahrami (20 p.. 7 as.) no other player from the losing side could keep up with the Serbs. The game was decided in the third quarter with a 25-13 partial score in favor of the eventual winners. Nemanja Bjelica with 18 points and 10 rebounds had a double double.
Things were even more easy for France against Egypt as the final 94-55 illustrates. The European champions got what they wanted, all the players were used and everyone scored with captain Boris Diaw contributing just 3 points in 8 minutes of action.
After the easy games against Egypt and Iran, Spain changed gear and beat easily Brazil (82-63). The mission was harder, but the leader of the team, Pau Gasol, was there to prove that the fate of every Spain’s game – except may be against USA – is on the hands of the tournament’s hosts. He started the second half with three three pointers and led his team to the easy win, scoring in total 26 points (8/10 2p. and 3/5 3p.). Next to him there were Sergio Rodriguez (12 p.) and Juan Carlos Navarro (10 p.). On the other hand, Brazil couldn’t keep up. Spain now has a 3-0 lead, France, Brazil and Serbia are at 2-1, while Iran and Egypt are left at 0-3.